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Last year, The Quality Edit launched its Quality Makers category, focusing on the ins and outs of the inspiring individuals behind the many brands we’ve covered. The talented founders have shared their background stories with our TQE community – from when they first planted their seeds to the tall branches their trees have now grown. They’ve been kind enough to provide inside looks into the DTC world and hand out valuable life lessons on how to build a business.
This year, we’re lucky enough to once again check in with some of our favorite founders, before the busy holiday season begins. The Quality Makers gift guide is back, this time featuring the one and only Jing Gao from Fly By Jing! Keep reading for some flavorful picks from our favorite spicy founder on how to start off your holiday season right.
The Chengdu-inspired, 100% all natural Sichuan company Fly By Jing, sells hot, spicy, crispy, numbing and deliciously savory chili sauces. It was founded by Jing in 2018 and inspired by the amazing flavors of her hometown. Leading with a ‘not traditional but personal’ mentality, Fly By Jing doesn't conform to anyone's notions of value, taste, tradition. It is one person's recipes, one person's vision, and one person's story. And with these products, Jing is telling us hers.
Enjoy Jing’s special holiday recommendations below:
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JG: “I first discovered these through a Japanese friend while in Tokyo almost a decade ago and would mule back packets of dashi powder on every trip to Japan. I was SO pleased to see that they recently started selling online in the US. Some of my personal favorite pantry essentials include Original Vegetable Stock Powder ($28.50), Dashi-Infused Umami Sea Salt ($8.50), and Yuzu Fruit Preserve ($15).”
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JG: “Brilliantly curated and an absolute visual delight. It feels like much more than a cookbook—a manifesto on food, art, and culture might be more apt. My friends at GG continue to shift culture and this book is a powerful new installment in their growing body of work.”
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JG: “Needs no introduction. Founder Sana and her team are revolutionizing the spice industry and you won’t find higher quality flavor or better transparency on sourcing anywhere else. The upgrade your spice rack desperately needs.”
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JG: “These make a great stocking stuffer—I’ve gotten these for my team at Fly By Jing as a fun addition to their holiday care packages. My faves are the Mahjong ($12) and White Rabbit ($12).
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JG: “Your feed has been blowing up with ‘hot girls doing things’ memes and you have Fishwife to thank for that. But hot girls really do be eating the best tinned fish in the game. And now, you can wear Fishwife’s gorgeous illustrations while you rep your hot girl status.”
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JG: “My love language is snacks. Getting a Bokksu box makes every delivery day feel like a celebration and it’s so fun to have a stock of interesting snacks when I have my team over for co-working sessions.”
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JG: “If you’ve ever been in my kitchen, it’s likely that one of my Toiro donabe was on the stove. These pieces are so stunning and versatile that I find it difficult to ever put them away. This is my favorite cooking vessel for mapo tofu—I swear it tastes better just having been cooked in the donabe. They are handcrafted by local artisans in Iga, Japan and each one feels special.”
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Share Jing’s carefully selected picks with your loved ones. It’s the perfect way to spice up your holiday season and personalize your list of gifts. Jing believes that thoughtful food powers meaningful dialogue – what better way to shower your friends & family in gifts than to share a story with them as well. Enjoy!
